The chairman of the Football League, Greg Clarke, yesterday ruled out any chance of Celtic joining League One or the Championship.

A report on Sunday claimed that the Old Firm giants, who have recently seen their rivals, Rangers, fall into administration, were so keen to join English football that they were in talks over a move into League One.

Club sources have insisted that is not the case, however, and Clarke said it would be "disrespectful" to the Scottish football authorities to enter into any such talks.

Clarke said: "We have absolutely no intention of having any discussions with any club from another national league regarding membership of our competition. This would be highly disrespectful to the Scottish Football Association and Scottish Premier League and will not be countenanced by the Football League."

Celtic yesterday offered their condolences to the family of the Kilmarnock midfielder Liam Kelly, whose father died at the end of Sunday's Scottish Communities League Cup final, which Kilmarnock won 1-0.

Jack Kelly, 59, suffered a suspected heart attack in the stands at Hampden Park, within moments of the final whistle.